Well cleaner



Sept. 5, 1939. c. K. HOLT WELL CLEANER Filed Jan. 3, 19:59

X w 2 X Z 2 m W I v/ v M 4 H W @Zw 9 Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITEDSTATES PATENT @FHQE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool and relates more particularly to awell cleaner or perforation cleaner. A general object. of the inventionis to provide a simple, practical and effective tool for cleaning theperforations of well liners.

Tools known as well cleaners or perioration cleaners are employed toremove accumulated matter and obstructions from the perforations of wellliners to increase the production of the wells. A typical well cleaneror perforation cleaner embodies vertically spaced packers for engagingin the well liner, and pump means for forcing fluid between the packersto discharge outwardly through perforations of the liner to clean thesame. Such cleaners are not altogether satisfactory as they do not cleanall of the perforations of the liner. Frequently a few of theperforations of the liner located in the zone between the packers of thecleaner will be clear or free of obstructions, and the fluid underpressure forced between the packers flows through these openperforations and does not clean the cloggedperforations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well cleaner that isoperable to fully clean all of the perforations of a well liner creasethe production of the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well cleaner thatoperates to concentrate the discharge of the fluid under pressure at afew of the perforations of the liner to fully clean the same of allobstructions.

Another object or this invention is to provide a well cleaner thatembodies a novel packer havto greatly ining a discharge orifice oflimited area for con-' centrating the discharge of the fluid underpressure to flush through a limited number of perforations of the linerto fully clean the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well cleaner oi thecharacter mentioned in which the packer is shifted vertically or isleitstationary while the fluid is discharged under pressure from itsdischarge orifice so that the perforations of a vertically extendingband or of agiven zone of the liner are fully cleaned during one phaseof operation of the tool. In one manner 'of operating the cleanerprovided by-this inven-- tion the fluid discharging packer may be movedlongitudinally in the liner as the fluid is discharged through theperforations to fully clean the perforations throughout a verticallyextending zone-or area and this operation is followed by a partialturning of the packer and a repeated vertical movement of the packeraccompanied by the discharge of the fluid under pressure so that asecond and contiguous vertical zone of the liner is cleaned and thisseries of operations may be repeated until the entire liner isthoroughly cleaned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well cleaner of thecharacter mentioned in which the packer effectively seals with the lineraround the fluid discharge orifice of the packer to assure the fulldischarge of the fluid under pressure at the limited zone of the lineropposite the orifice.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well cleaner of thecharacter referred to in which the packer is carriedloy thereciprocating element of the pump means to move vertically in the linerduring-the fluid ejecting and perforation washing operation.

A further object of thisinvention is to provide a novel fluiddischarging packer for use on a well cleaner, or the like.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of the invention, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention showingthe tool in the operative position in a well liner and illustrating theliner in longitudinal cross section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinaldetailed sectional view of the pump means and anchor means showing theanchor meansin a retracted condition and illustrating certain parts inside elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional viewof taken in a plane through the discharge orifice. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal detailed sectional view of the packer illustrated in Fig. 1being a view taken in. a plane extending through the discharge oriflceand illustrating certain parts in elevation, to

the packer. illustrated in Fig. '1, being a view trated in Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive, of the drawing includes, generally, pump means ll, means IIfor releasably anchoring or securing the pump means III in a well linerL, a packer I! carried by the pump means 00 and operable to dischargethe pumped fluid through the perforations P or the :liner L, and a, swabelement-60 carried by the pump means and operable in the liner L.

The pump means I 0 is adapted to be entered in the well liner L and tobe-releasably anchored or secured in a selected position in the liner bythe socket 24 or the'plug'22 may 19. During the down stroke means II.The pump means ll ispreferably a barrel and plunger means operable byarecip rocable well string S. In the construction .illustrated the pumpmeans 12 includes a barrel I2 to be anchored in the liner L and aplunger l4 operable in the barrel. The barrel I2 is an elongate tubularmember provided at its opposite ends with threaded-on heads or caps Hi.The upperportion oi the pump barrel l2 has communication with theinterior of the liner L. In the typical arrangement illustrated ports iiare provided in the upper cap 15 to put the interior of the barrel illin communication with the liner L.

The plunger l4 of the pump means II is connected with" the well string Sto be reciprocated and turned thereby. The plunger l4 shiitably passesthrough an opening l1 in the lower cap I! and the said lower cap carries'a packing gland It for sealing about the plunger. A head I9 is providedon the upper end of the plunger i4 to shiitably operate in the pumpbarrel l2. The well string S extends through an opening 22 in the upperbarrel cap I! and is sealed about by a gland 2| on the upper cap. Aconnection .is providedbetween the string 8 and the plunger head l9whereby the plunger may be reciprocated by the string S. In the caseillustrated the lower end of the string S is' threaded in a socket 22 ina plug 22 which in turn is threaded in a socket 24 in the upper end ofthe head l9.

Valve means are associated with the plunger head l9 so thatreciprocation of the plunger 14 in the barrel l2 produces a pumpingaction. The valve means of the plunger [4 may take various forms. Thestring S may be ported and placed in communication with the innerportion oi the be ported to act as an inlet member. In the constructionillustrated ports 25 are provided in the plug 22 to place the innerportion of the socket 24 in communication with the upper end part of thebarrel I2 and ports 26 extend through the head 12 from the socket 24 toput the socket in communication with the portion of the pump chamberbelow the head. An annular valve 21 is provided in the socket 24 and isadapted to seat up against the lower end of the plug 22 to close theports 22. A ring 22 is arranged in the socket 24 and carries springs 29for urging the valve 21 to its closed position against the plug 22.During the up stroke of the plunger l4 a reduced pressure 'is'created inthe barrel l2 below the head l9 and the valve 21 opens to allow fluidfrom the liner L'to pass through the ports 25 and 26 into the pumpchamber below the head of the plunger l4 the valve 21 is closed againstthe lower end 'of the plug 22 to prevent the discharge of fluid throughthe ports 25.

A central vertical opening 22 extends into the head 19 from its lowerend to communicate with the socket 24. The upper endoi the plunger I4 isthreaded in the lower part or the opening 22. The pump plunger i4 istubular having a central longitudinal opening 2| and this opening is incommunication with the opening 22in the head IS. A valve is provided tocontrol communication between the plunger opening 21 and the portion ofthe barrel pump chamber below the head l2. An annular downwardly facingseat 22 is provided on the wall oi the opening 22 anda ball valve 22 isarranged in the opening 22 to seal upwardly against the seat 22. A ring25 is threaded in the opening 29 and a coiled spring 22 is arrangedunder compression between the ring 25 and the ball valve 22 to urge thevalve upwardly fisain t v or secure the pump means pump barrel l2 andnipple 42 secured its seat 22. During the down stroke of the plunger l4the valve 22 opens to allow the fluid displaced by the plunger head 19to discharge downwardly through the plunger opening 2|. During the upstroke of the plunger I4 the valve 22 is closed and the valve 21 isopened.

The means II is provided to releasably anchor ID in the well liner L.The anchor means H is preferably in the nature of a slipmeans. Asillustrated, the means H includes a tubular cone 21 on the pump barrelI2. The cone 21 is secured to the exterior of the barrel 12 by weldingor other suitable means and has a downwardly and inwardly taperedexternal surface. The means ll further includes a set of slips 22cooperating with the cone 21. The slips 22 have inclined inner surfacesshiftably engaged on the cone 21, and toothed outer sides for-grippingthe internal surface of the liner L. Tail piece means is provided tocontrol the slips 2!. This tail piece means comprises spaced rings 29shiftable on the pump barrel i4 below the cone 21 and outwardly bowedleaf springs 40 extending between and connecting the rings 29. Thesprings 42 are adapted to frictionally cooperate with the internalsurface of the liner L to resist movement of the tail piece assembly inthe liner. Reins 4| 7 connect the lower ends of the slips 38 with theupper tail piece ring 29.

Releasable latch means is provided for holding the slips 28 in theretracted positions so that the tool may be conveniently moved throughthe liner L and through the well. One or more hooklike latches 42 aresecured to the upper tailpiece ring 29 and are adapted to cooperate withpins 22 projecting from the barrel [2. When the latches 42 are incooperation with the pins 42 the slips 28 are latched or held in theirretracted positions where they are clear of the interior of the liner L.-The pins 42 may be released from the latches by a partial turningmovement of -the barrel l2 followed by a downward movement of thebarrel;

A releasable clutch conne tion is provided for transmitting turningmovement from the plunger 14 to the barrel l2 to effect the release andreengagement of the latch means 42-42 just described. This clutch meansmay include clutch parts or teeth 44 on the under side of the upperbarrel cap it and complementary clutch teeth 45 on the upper end of theplug 22. When the cleaner is run into the well and when the plunger 14is in its uppermost position with respect to the barrel l2, the teeth 44and 45 cooperate for the transmission of turning iorces so that thestring S may be; turned to effect the release and re-engagement of thelatch means 42--42.

The packer I2 is an important feature of the invention. In the preferredconstruction the packer I2 is connected with the pump plunger l4 todirectly receive-the pumped fluid therefrom and to discharge'the pumpedfluid through the liner perforations P as the pump means l9 is operated.The packer I2 is spaced below the is interposed in or secured to theplunger l4. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive, of the drawing, the packer 12 includes a tubular carrier orto the pump plunger l4. A threaded coupling 41 serves to secure thenipple 46 to the lower end of the pump plunger [4. A similar threadedcoupling 48 secures a lower valve section 49:; to the lower end of thenipple 42. .C llars 42 are welded or otherwise fixed to the 7 of thewires 52. The cups 53 engage about the nipple in spaced adjacentrelation to the couplings 41 and 45. v I

' The packer l2 further includes opposed cuplike sections 55 of rubber,rubber composition, synthetic rubber, or the like, arranged on thenipple 45. The packer sections 55 are an'anged in opposed end to endrelation with their large ends in abutment and with their taperedsmaller ends facing upwardly and downwardly. The small end portions ofthe sections 55 are vulcanized to sleeves 5| which surround the nipple45' between the collars 49 and the adjacent couplings 47 and 48. Theopposed abutting ends of the packer sections 55 are cemented orvulcanized l together so that the two sections 50, in effect, constitutea continuous packer body. The packer sections are reinforced bylongitudinally extending wear-taking wires 52. The wires 52 are spacedapart circumferentially and are em bedded or partially embedded intheexteriors of the sections 50. The wires 52 preferably extend betweenthe upper and lower end portions of the packer H2. The opposite ends ofthe wires 52 may be curved or bent inwardly to be securely anchored inthe sections 50. Metal clips '53 may engage about the reduced endportions of the sections 50 to cover and retain the end parts nipple 48and the adjacent cups 53 and sleeves 5! are clamped between the collars49 and the couplings 41 and 48. This efiectively secures the packer i2to the nipple 45.

The packer it just described is adapted to have shiftable sealingcooperation with the internal surface of the liner L. The packer I2 isproportioned so that its intermediate part is compressed or distorted toa substantially cylindrical shape through its engagement. with the innersurface of the liner L It is to be observed that the packer l2comprising the opposed abutting sections 50 is hollow to be more readilycompressed or distorted to conform to the inner wall of the liner L.

In accordance with the invention the packer l2 has a window or dischargeorifice for discharging the fluid pumped by the means it.

.The orifice 55 is spaced between the ends of the packer l2 and ispreferably equally spaced between the opposite ends of the packer. Thedischarge orifice 55 faces laterally or horizontally and is preferably,though not necessarily, square or rectangular in cross-sectional shape.The orifice 55 is proportioned to oppose a limited number of the spacedperforations P in the liner L. For example, it may be proportioned tooppose three or four perforations P. The abutting end portions of thepacker sections 55 are shaped to provide or define the orifice 55. Thesections 55' have inturnedflanges 55 providing or defining the sidewalls of the orifice 55. The flanges. 55 extend inwardly to the nipple45'and are preferably cemented, vulcanized, or otherwise secured to thenipple in such a manner that fluid pressure cannot leak past them. Thenipple,

45 is tubular and being connected with the plunger l4 by the coupling 41it has its opening in communication with the opening 3| of the plunger.The nipple 45 is ported to discharge the pumped fluid outwardly throughthe discharge orifice 55. In the preferred construction a plurality ofspaced jetting ports 51 is provided in the wall of the nipple 45 tocommunicate with the orifice 55. The ports 51 are adapted to dischargeor jet the pumped fluid outwardly through the oriflce 55 during the downstroke of the plunger M. The orifice 55 being .of small capacity allowsthe employment of a barrel l3 and plunger l4 of small diameter todevelop high fluid pressure.

The discharge orifice 55 is spaced midway between the ends of the packerI 2 so that the packer effectively seals with the internal wall of theliner L around the mouth of the orifice 55 to prevent the passage orleakage of fluid vertically or longitudinally around the packer. Thewires 55- that would otherwise cross the orifice 55 may be embedded inthe flanges 56 to reinforce the flanges. This construction isillustrated in Fig. 4. Longitudinal grooves 8 are preferably provided inthe exterior of the packer l2 and the packer I 2 may be flattened as atX, at a point diametrically opposite the orifice 55 so that the packer[2 does not have a swabbing action or piston action when reciprocated inthe liner L. It is to be understood that the flattened portion 58 may bedispensed with, if desired. The grooves 8 do not join the orifice butare spaced from the orifice.

The lower section 49 referred to above is a obliged to discharge fromthe orifice 55. It may be preferred to provide a safety valve or reliefvalve in the lower section 59 In the structure illustrated this reliefvalve comprises. a ball valve 55 normally held in its closed position bya spring 55 bearing on an adjustable plug 9. The plug 5 may be adjustedto give the valve 55 the desired setting. The valve 58 normally preventsthe discharge of fluid from the lower section is. In the event that anexcessive pressure builds up in the opening 3|, the nipple 45, etc., thespring 59 yields, allowing the valve 58 toopen. This, of course,relieves the excess pressure. When the tool is withdrawn from the wellthe valve 58 is adapted to open to allow the fluid to by-pass aroundorpast the swab element 50.

The tool may include one or more swab elements 50 for cleaning theinternal surface of the liner L and for producing aswabbing action whenthe plunger I4 is reciprocated. In the case illustrated there is asingle swab element 55. The swab element 50 is preferably spaced belowthe packer 12. In the construction illustrated the swab element. 50 issecured to the lower section 55'. The swab element 60 is substantiallycupshaped and is arranged with its concave side facing upwardly. Theswab element 50 is expanded and active during the upstroke of theplunger l4 and operates to draw the sand, etc. 'into the liner L. Duringthe downstroke of the plunger 94 when the pumped fluid is dischargedfrom the orifice 55 the swab element 60 collapses and is substantiallyinactive.

Fig. 5 of the drawing illustrates a second form of packer I! that may beembodied in the tool of the invention. The packer i2 includes ashouldered tubular carrier 5! connected with the plunger 84. A nipple 52is connected with the plunger [4 by the coupling 41 and has its lowerend threaded into the carrier iii. A similar nippie 53 is threaded inthe carrier 5| from its lower end. The threads of the nipples 52 and 63are preferably pitched in opposite directions. .For I now to Figs 1 to4, inclusive,

the latches 42. When operation.

the nipples 62 and 68 are in tight abutting relation.

The packer [2 further includes a body 04 of rubber, rubber composition,synthe -abber, or the like, vulcanized or otherwise fixed to the carrier6|. The packer body 64 is of prolate spheroidal shape. The packer body04 is proportioned to'have its intermediate portion slidably seal withthe internal surface of the liner L. The packer body 64 may bereinforced by longitudinally extending wires 65 embedded or partiallyembedded in its surface portion. Metal caps 6' may be arranged on thenipples 62 and 63 to engage about the opposite end portions of the body64 and to cover the ends of the wires 65. A fluid discharge orifice 61is provided in the packer body 64. The orifice 61 may be similar to theabove described orifice 55 and continues inwardly through the carrierGI. Ports 68 are provided in the walls of the nipples 62 and $3 todischarge the pumped fluid outwardly through the orifice 61.

The operation of the improved well cleaner of the present invention isas of the drawing-the tool is first connected with the lower end of thestring S and run into the wellon the string. The slips 38 are initiallyin theircollapsed positions and the pins 43 are in latching engagementwith the cleaner has been lowered to a selected position in the liner Lthe string S is given a partial turn and is lowered to release the pins43 from the latches 42. The clutch parts 45 cooperate with the parts 44for the transmission of the turning movement from the string S to thebarrel l3. Following the release of the latch means allowed to settle orto -move downwardly. The resultant downward movement of the barrel itcauses the cone 31 to actuate the slips 38 into gripping engagement withthe interior of the liner L. The slips 38 operate to hold the barrel Itand the associated parts against downward movement. The tool is then incondition for To operate the tool the string 8 is reciprocated so thatthe pump means Ill delivers fluid under pressure to the dischargeorifice I5 and the element 60 has a swabbing action. During the downwardstrokes of the string pressure is displaced from below the plunger headl9 to flow down through the opening II and the npple 45 so that itdischarges from the ports 51 and the orifice 55. The fluid underpressure discharging through the orifice 5i effectively washes or cleansthe perforations P opposed or' passed by the orifice 55, as the packer[2 moves downwardly. The pumped fluid is discharged in a concentratedstream at the orifice 55 to thoroughly remove the clogging accumulationsfrom the perforations P. It will be observed that the orifice 55discharges a downwardly moving laterally directed stream of fluid toclean the perforations P throughout a longitudinally extending band orarea of the liner L. During the upstroke of the plunger H the valve 2'!opens to admit a charge of fluid to the barrel l3 below the head l9, andthe swab element draws the sand and other solid matter into the liner L.The plunger l4 may be reciprooated a number of times to be sure that theseveral perforations P in the above mentioned band or area arethoroughly cleaned. The string 5 is then given a partial turn and thenreciprocated so that the fiuldQdischarged from the orifice I! cleans thefollows: Referring 42-43 the string S is the part of the liner 3 fluidunder operable in the liner to perforations? in a longitudinallyextending band or area of the liner L contiguous to the band or areafirst cleaned. These operations are con-- tinued until a given portionof the liner L is thoroughly cleaned, whereupon the string S may beraised to release the slips 38 and may be moved vertically to bring thetool to another position in the liner. set or actuated and the abovedescribed operations repeated until the entire liner is thoroughlycleaned. It will be apparent that the tool may remain stationary duringits operation to clean a. limited selected zone of the liner L.

Having described-only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art, or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a tool for cleaning the well liner, a packer for insertion in theliner having a fluid discharge orifice for discharging fluid outwardlythrough the perforations.

2. In a tool for cleaning the perforations of a well liner, a packeradapted to have sealing engagement with the interior of the liner andhaving a fluid discharge orifice at its zone of sealing engagement withthe liner for discharging fluid outwardly through a limited number ofsaid perforations.

3. A well cleaner for cleaning the perforations of a tubular linercomprising a fluid conducting carrier, and a packer on the carrier forshiftably sealing with the interior of the liner and having an openngreceiving fluid from the carrier and discharging it through at least oneperforation at the zone of engagement of the packer with the liner.

4. In a well cleaner for cleaning the perforations of a well liner, apacker of resilient sealing The slips 38 may again be perforations of asealing engagement with the interior of the liner, the packer having anorifice outwardly through certain of its perforations in and means fordelivering fluid under pressure to said orifice. V

5. In a tool for cleaning the perforations of a well liner, a packer ofprolate spheroidal shape have its intermediate portlon in sealingengagement with the interior of the liner and having an outwardlydirected opening in said portion for discharging fluid through a limitednumber of said perforations.

6. A tool for cleaning the perforations of a. well liner comprising apacker operable in the liner to seal with its'interlor, the packerhaving an orifice for directing fiud-outwardly through the perforationsof the liner, and pump means connected withthe packer for supplyingfluid elements and delivering tlgpumped fluid to the orifice. a

8. A tool for cleaning the perforations of a for discharging fluidengaged by said portion,

well liner comprising a body of packing movable in the liner and havinga surface portion in sealing engagement with the inner surface of theliner, said body having an orifice discharging at said surface portion,pump means operable in the well comprising two relatively reciprocableelements, one a barrel. the other a plunger, means for releasablysupporting one of the pump elements in the liner, and means securing thepacker body to one of the pump elements and conducting the pumped fluidto the orifice to be discharged therefrom.

9. A tool for cleaning the perforations of a well liner comprising abody of packing movable in the liner and having a surface portion insealing engagement liner, said body having an orifice discharging atsaid surface portion, pump means operable in the well comprising tworelatively reciprocable elements, one a barrel, the other a plunger,means for releasably supporting one of the pump elements in the liner,and means connecting the packer body with the other element to bereciprocable therewith and conducting the pumped fluid to the orifice tobe discharged therefrom to clean the perforations in the path of theorifice. g

10. A tool for cleaning the perforations of a well liner operable by awell string comprising, a packer operable in the liner and having asurface sealing with the wall of the well, the packer -having anoutwardly directed fluid discharge opening at said surface, pump meansoperable in the well including two relatively reciprocable elements, onea barrel, the other a plunger, means connecting the reciprocable pumpelement with the string to be operated thereby, means for supporting theother element in the liner releasable by turning movement of said otherelement, releasable clutch means for connecting, said elements fortransmission of turning move-, ment whereby the string may be turned torelease the supporting means, and means connecting the packer with oneof the pump elements to be carried thereby and conducting the pumpedfiuid to the packer to be discharged from the said opening.

11. In a tool of the character described. a tubular carrier, andcup-shaped. packing sections arranged on the carrier with their largeends in with the inner surface of the 5 opposition and abutment, thepacking sections being formed to define an outwardly directed fluiddischarge opening, the carrier having a port placing its interior incommunication with the said opening.

12. In a tool of the 'character described, a tubular carrier, twosubstantially cup-shaped packing sections, and means securing thesections on the carrier with their large ends in abutment, the abuttingend parts of the sections being 10 shaped to define an outwardlydirected fluid discharge orifice, the carrier having a port placing itsinterior in communication with the orifice.

13. In a tool of the character described, a tubular carrier having alateral opening in its wall, and a body of packing on the carrier havinga laterally directed fluid discharge orifice in communication with theopening.

14. In a tool of the character described, a tubular carrier having alateral opening in its wall. a body of packing on the carrier having alaterally directed fluid discharge orifice in communication with theopening, and a fluid conducting element extending into the carrier andhaving ports for jetting fiuid through said openg ing and orifice.

15. In a well cleaner for cleaning the perforations of a well liner, apacker of resilient seal- Ii ing material adapted to have a portion inshiftable sealing engagement with the interior of the liner, the packerhaving an orifice for discharging fluid outwardly through certain of theper forations in the part of the liner engaged by said portion, andmeans for delivering fiuid under pressure to said orifice, said meanscomprising a tubular fluid conducting member carrying the packer andhaving ports for discharging jets of fiuid through the orifice.

16. A tool for cleaning the perforations of a well liner comprising apacker operable in the liner to seal with its interior, the packerhaving an orifice for directing fluid outwardly through the perforationsof the liner,- a swab element connected with the packer to be in spacedrela' 'Z ii tion thereto and operable in the linento pro h K. HOLT.

